Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1887-05-07
THE PIRATE HUNTER.


might at any moment be discovered
and bounced upon by the lawless hordes
who had learned to dread and hate his
schooner, which had made sad havoc
among their vessels.
The captain dropped anchor close
in shore, where the rocks were covered
with trailing vines and the banks
shaded with shrubbery, blooming with
the flowers of the beautiful ferns and
other species of acacia. Beyond, sill
very cascades were seen, flashing in
misty distance, and gigantic trees, en-
twined with branches from which hung
long, pendant twigs, full of red, blue
and white blossoms, emitting delicious
fragrance.
Howard lost no time in getting to
work at his schooner, and in few
days she was sufficiently repaired for
the crew, who had been forced to a
temporary stay on shore, to return on
board.
Next morning the captain was sur
prised to see a beautiful apparation
reckoning to him from one Of the rocks
of the coast-a young girl arrayed ID
white, with blue sash, and wearing
broad straw hat, fiom under which her
long tresses fell to her waist.
He had his gig down in moment,
and the distance between the schooner
and land was only sixty feet, he was
soon ashore.
AS be approached the young woman
he lifted his naval cap and bowed, his
eyes beaming admiration upon the
loveliest face he had ever seen.
The complexion was of a mixed
olive and delicate rose tint the eyes
were large, dark and soft, shaded by
long, curling lashes the hair had a
blue-black shade; the features were
faultless. But it was the expression
so full of innocence-that charmed
the young man that piquant, childish
look, combined with the smooth, round
cheeks, eloquent with womanly warmth
and the supple, well-developed form,
which, as the full bust rose and fell,
seemed to emit an irresistible magne-
tism.
The voice, when she spoken har-
mony with her appearance-had two
intonations of the organ and the lutte,
of the woman and the child.
"Sir," said she, 81 have come to tell
you to leave as soon as you can. There
are pirates, thrice your number, Scarce
a league from here. They will soon
discover you, by chance, as | have
done this morning"
"And who, gentle friend, are you
who thus warn me p
81 am Viola, the adopted daughter
of Jose Carbano-the fiercest and most
powerful of all the outlaws. His craft
is a full.sized two decker, almost as
large as a sloop.of-war, and he would
gladly die for the satisfaction of blow
ing you to pieces. He has been in
search of you; | expect him back
every day. larry not, | beseech you"
81 cannot go for week, as | have
my mast to repair, and new sails to
get up"
She sighed, and bowling, disappeared
in the deep woods beyond. But she
came again, the next day and the next
and so on, anxious to see how soon he
could sail away.
Ten days had passed-he would be
ready to sail next morning-when he
again met Viola, who now informed
him that her fathers vessel was in
light.
"You have no time to lose" she said
in a tremulous voice.
"But, Viola, | cannot leave you
here. love you p
He folded her in his arms and as
her head dropped on his breast, he
showered kisses on her warm lips and
her bright eyes. :,
Beautiful girl ~ said he. 81 will
make you my wife ! Will you go away
with me ?"
Next morning, Howard, ready to
sail, watched in vain for Viola. His
lieutenant pointed toward the woods,
which were alive with armed men,
hurrying towards the schooner.
Howard understood at once. Some
spy had followed Viola on the previous
day, and, lying concealed, had seen
the schooner, and, perhaps, heard the
girls interview with him. Perhaps
her fathers craft having doubtless ar
rived on the previous day, she was
kept a prisoner aboard the vessel. If
80, the captain must give up all
thought of now obtaining his fair prize;
but at some future time he would come
with larger war vessel and carry off
the sweet girl whom he was determined
should yet be his wife.
The armed men drew every moment
nearer. Howard brought one of his
guns to bear upon them as his anchor
was lifted, and fired shot. Then away
went the little schooner, shooting with
fair wind toward the mouth of the
inlet. Another gun, loaded with shrap-
mel, was discharged and yells and
curses broke from the pirates as sever
al of their number fell.
AS the schooner emerged from the
inlet an unexpected sight greeted her
crew--a large two.decker, which the
rocks had hitherto concealed, lying in
wait for them. There was the pirate
flag at her mizzen, and through her
portfolios glimpses of dark faced men
could be seen already at her guns.
Huge and black she doomed up, ready
to sink at one broadside the schooner,
which to escape the rocks astern, must
now pass close alongside.
ut is CarbanoP cried Lieutenant
Hawthorne, struggling his shoulders.
GAY, ay, answered Howard, as
tall, dark man, springing, trumpet in
hand, on the quarterback hailed him
in voice of thunder:
"Ho, Americans You and your
n NJ.